Be on the look out for District Nine's "Blue Ribbon for Literacy" campaign. We are rolling out this new campaign during the month of September in honor of Literacy Month. It's very easy to participate and a great way to promote literacy, Altrusa, and your own club. Your Club Presidents will have information about the how and the why of the campaign to share with you in the very near future.

Blue Ribbon for Literacy .. it's a win-win!

Kathy Folley

International Foundation grant applications are due no later than Sept 15, 2010. The application form, as well as, guidelines and a sample application are available on the International website. You have an opportunity to receive up to $2,000 to get your project off the ground. So what are you waiting for?

Remember .. "you can't win if you don't play!"

Kathy

Please mark Saturday, November 6th on your calendar and start making plans to join us in San Antonio for the 2010 Fall Event. Fall Event offers a great opportunity for club members to bond together in fellowship and fun.

I hope to see everyone there. For more information please see the July issue of News of Mighty Ninth now available on the District website.

Regards,

Kathy Folley

If you are a new Club President and are NOT receiving e-mail notices and messages from me that means that my contact information for you is incorrect. Please either call me or send an e-mail message with the correct information. This will re-assure me that everyone is getting the information I am sending out.

Hugs to all

Kathy Folley

If you are wondering what has happened to the News of Mighty Ninth, please remember the District Board voted in April to push back the issue dates by one month to give us a more accurate time frame for reporting information to you. This is especially true regarding membership numbers transitioning between one club year and the next. So beginning with this new club year the issue dates for the News of Mighty Ninth will be July 1, October 1, January 1, and April 1.

Regards.

Kathy Folley

Congratulations to all of you as we start a new club year. Please remember that Club Officer and Committee rosters are due by June 15. Also, all club dues are due before June 15. A $5 late fee will be assessed if received after the 15th so get those dues in to the District Treasurer this week!

Time to get cookin!!

Kathy Folley

Time is growing near to turn in entries for the various District awards. Every attendee at the Lubbock Conference received a CD which contains all entry forms and information on when the entries are due and to whom they should be sent. If you have questions please feel free to contact me.

I would love to see every club submit for District awards.

Regards.

Kathy Folley

I still need contact information on incoming Club Presidents for the following clubs: Abilene, Austin, Borger, Houston, Lubbock, North Dallas, Orange, The Big Country, and Wichita Falls. Please send your address, phone number(s), and e-mail address so you can be added to my database.

Regards.

Kathy Folley

If you missed Conference this weekend I am truly sorry for we had a wonderful time in Lubbock. Kudos to the Lubbock and Lubbock Dawners clubs for everything they did to make this past weekend such a success. We had wonderful workshops, great musical entertainment, and an outstanding keynote address from Marsha Sharp. And as an FYI, Marsha Sharp donated her time, 250 books (that's 250 DONATED books), and then stayed to sign each and every one of them. In return, all we did was give her a meager $500 donation for her cancer charity and will still come in slightly under budget. All in all I think that's pretty good - pretty good in deed!

Kathy Folley
Governor

The head count is adding up for Conference in Lubbock. There is still time for you to register and join in the fun. It won't be the same without you.

Kathy Folley

Have you registered for the upcoming Fifty-Fourth Annual District Nine Conference to be held April 9 - 11 in Lubbock, TX? NO? Well, there's still time. Go to the District Nine website, pull up the online registration form, fill it out (on line), print, and mail to the Conference Treasurer (information is on the registration form). Remember March 1st is the deadline to register with out a late fee. Don't miss the fun. Register today!!

Kathy Folley

The International leadership continues to look at ways to attract new members to Altrusa as well as younger members. If you are under the age of 40 and became a member within the last 5 years we would like to know what attracted you to Altrusa and why you remain involved in this organization. We would also like to know if you have been successful in recruiting other members in your same age group. Please e-mail me your comments at folleyk@wilsonart.com.

Regards,

Kathy Folley

I am still in need of people to be slated for the District Nominating Committee. This is a great way to servce the District without having to commit a great deal of time. Please consider serving in this position.

Regards,

Kathy Folley

Recipes for the District Nine Cookbook are due to Beth Blair, District Program Coordinator January 15. If you have recipes you would like to submit please get to Beth by this date.

Regards,

Kathy

A special issue of the News of Mighty Ninth is now available on the District website full of information regarding our upcoming April Conference. Also, please note the registration form which is fillable for your ease in registering for Conference.

Hugs

Kathy Folley

Nominees for the District Nominating Committee are due to me by Jan 15, 2010. Members of this committee will prepare the slate of officers presented to the delegate body at 2011 District Conference. This is an important part of the District process. Please consider serving the District in this capacity.

Regards,

Kathy Folley

Candidates are needed for the 2010-2012 District Nominating Committee. Candidates must be Active members and have served as Club President. If your club was not represented on the 2008-2010 Nominating Committee you are eligible to submit a candidate. Clubs represented on the last committee were Dallas, Houston, Pampa, Southeast Tarrant County Early Risers, and The Big Country.

Nominations are due to me by Jan 15, 2010.

Regards,

Kathy Folley

I wish you all the very best during this holiday season. I feel blessed to call each of you sister in the spirit that is Altrusa.

To each of you and yours Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Kathy Folley

As we approach the day of Thanksgiving, I want to express to you how grateful I am to have the opportunity to know each of you through the service of Altrusa.

I wish each of you a blessed, happy, and safe Thanksgiving!

With warmest wishes,

Kathy Folley

I hope you all had a successful Make A Difference Day on Saturday. Don't forget to report your activities to the International Office and to the District Nine Service Chair before the November 15th deadline.

A big thank you for all you do.

Kathy Folley

Make a Difference Day is coming up this Saturday and I hope each club has made plans to participate in some way. Please remember to post a report about your activities on the International website before November 15 so your project can be included in the Altrusa International entry with USA WEEKEND Magazine. The District would also like to hear about your project so once you have reported to International please send a copy to your District Service Chair as well.

Thanks for all you do to keep Altrusa strong.

Hugs

Kathy Folley

Electric copies of the 2009-2011 Altrusa International, Inc. Bylaws and Polices are now available from the International website. Go to the Home Page, click on the link for Publications, then Other Forms/Publications to find the latest version. This is a new feature from the International Office. If you would like to receive a hard copy they are available for a fee from the International Office.

Kathy Folley

If you would like to read information about Mamie L Bass and her accomplishments try the Crown Hill Heritage Foundation which oversees the Crown Hill Cemetery - the final resting place for Ms. Mamie. The website is www.crownhillhf.org/inmemoryof_bass.html.

Kathy Folley

This is now a link from the Home Page on the International website for Make a Difference Day. Please access this information if you have questions regarding your Make a Difference Day project. Don't forget to send your plans into the International office by Sept 30th.

Kathy Folley

Great News! The International website now has a search engine. If you go to the home page and click on the link "Site Search" then type in what you are looking for it will take you to that information. This is a great and effective tool for you. The website is full of helpful information and now it is easier than ever to find. Thanks to the International staff and International Board for listening to our requests and adding this feature to help us navigate through the website.

Kathy Folley

Today is this eighth anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. Please take a moment sometime today to remember those we lost and think about the momentum of patriotism and resolve that grew out of the rubble of that day. God Bess America!

Kathy Folley

As I have mentioned before, Make a Difference Day for 2009 is Saturday, October 24. International is asking that each club sent them a brief synopsis of the activities being planned for that day. Example: Altrusa International, Inc. of XYC has planned a book drive, or story time at the local mall, or delivering books to the local nursing home. This information should be sent to the International Office no later than Sept 30. After Oct 24th you will be asked to send a more detail report that International can include in their entry to USA WEEKEND MAGAZINE. Please look for more information regarding Make a Difference Day from me as well as International.

Kathy Folley

Please make note that the International Day of Peace is September 21, 2009. International Day of Peace is part of the criteria for the Dr. Nina Fay Calhoun International Award. For all other international dates please refer to the Coming Events page of the District website.

Regards.

Kathy Folley

Today is World Literacy Day, and as I surfed the Net on the subject of literacy one statement kept popping up at me. And that was "one in five people around the world are illiterate". I am so thankful to be associated with an organization that puts the issue of literacy first. What projects are your doing to combat literacy issues in your community?

Regards.

Kathy Folley

International President Donna Johnson is working hard to keep us informed of the progress of the International Communications Committee and the Interim Marketing Kit. If you would like to view these materials you can go to the International website, click on the link for Convention, and then scroll down the page until you find Marketing Materials. These are "read-only" files for your review. The International Board is doing a great job of getting our "marketing" campaign off the ground so please make a point of checking the International website for updates.

Regards,

Kathy Folley

The September issue of News of Mighty Ninth is now available on the District website. Please take the time to read this issue as there is an abundant amount of information regarding International Convention that you will want to know about.

Regards,

Kathy Folley

New dates have been announced by International for Add an Altrusan Day for 2010. Instead of one day in January, you will now have a full week in May in which to hold your activities. The new dates are May 2 - 8, 2010. You can pick one day during this week to host your activity or you can host a variety of activities during this time. The decision is yours so start making plans now.

Regards,

Kathy Folley

A grand olde time was had by all at the Fifty-First International Convention in Indianapolis. There were approximately 35 members from District Nine in attendance and it was great to spend some quality time with everyone. We learned a lot, were inspired a lot, and shared laughs a lot. I wish each and every one of you could have been with us because these are special times to share. Lots of information will be in the September issue of News of Mighty Ninth so please make an effort to read it through. This issue will be available after the first of the month.

Hugs to all.

The time is here. Time to gather up in Indianapolis for the 51st Annual International Convention. It is my hope that many of you are planning to attend this exciting Convention along with me and members of your District Board.

If you are planning to attend, please make note that the District Board will host a small get together on Friday evening (Aug 7) from 6 - 7 p.m. in the District Suite for all District Nine members. Please plan to stop by for a few moments on your way to your other planned activities.

Also, please take just a moment to send me an e-mail and let me know how many members from your club will be in attendance in Indy.

Regards.

Kathy

In my July e-mail to Club President's I listed the dates that had been added to the Dr. Nina Fay Calhoun International Relations Award criteria. In that information I listed August 25th as International Youth Day. Please note that the correct date for International Youth Day is actually August 12.

Thanks for your patience.

Kathy Folley

NOW WE'RE COOKING!!

I am happy to report that we have added 12 new members to District Nine since June 1, 2009. This is a great start toward our membership goal. Congratulations to those club who have added new members.

Please remember to send in your new member forms as soon as possible to the International Office, the District Governor, and the District Treasurer.

Kathy Folley

International Foundation Grant Applications are due no later than Sept 15th. I hope each club within District Nine will submit an application for one of your service projects. You can receive up to $2,000 to get your project off the ground and running. The application form, as well as, guidelines and a sample application are available on the International website. Plus, if you would like help with the process or have questions, you can contact Antonio Buban our District Nine Foundation Liaison.

There is plenty of time to pick your project, complete the application, and submit it to the International Foundation, but you really should start thinking about it now. Remember the old saying "You can win if you don't play."

Did your club submit an entry for the 2008-2009 District Yearbook award? If so, were they send to the 2009-2011 Yearbook Coordinator Jerri Judd? If you are unsure if your entry was sent to the proper person please contact Jerri at mjudd@att.net as soon as possible.

I apologize for sounding like a broken record BUT there are still several clubs who have not turned in their Officer and Committee rosters. Please know that this is information that we need so please send in as soon as possible.

Hugs to all.

Kathy

As we celebrate Independence Day this weekend I hope each of you will take a moment to reflect on how very fortunate we are to live in this wonderful county. Here are some of the words from Lee Greenwood's song "God Bless the USA"..... "I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me. And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today. 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land. God Bless the U.S.A."

Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July!

Club rosters were due June 15th. If you have not sent in your rosters please do so now. It is important that we receive this information and once you get this done you can mark one more thing off your to-do list. Over the last couple of weeks I have sent several messages to Club Presidents. If you have not heard from me, please contact me at folleyk@wilsonart.com. It is possible my contact information for you is incorrect.

Let's get cookin....

Kathy

What an exciting time for Altrusans! We are at the beginning stages of a brand new biennium and a brand new club year with new and exciting ideas abound. Please take the time to acknowledge the members of your club who have accepted the challenge of leadership. Your support and guidance as they tackle this upcoming year will be a priceless gift.

International Convention is August 6 - 9. As we heard during Conference some very important decisions about Altrusa's future will be presented to the Convention body. I hope you plan to attend and let your voice be heard.

While you are in the process of completing your calendar for the year, please note that due to this being a Convention year we will not have a Fall Event.

I wish each and every one of you a most successful year.

Hugs to you all.

Kathy